K2.7bn donor support to Covid-19 fight frees relief funds

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes DONOR aid worth over K2.7 billion for fighting Covid-19 has been made available for Zambia by bilateral and multilateral co-operating partners under different facilities which have been put in place to combat the pandemic. This comes a few weeks after the Zambian Government received criticism from some stakeholders for not being among […]

K2.7bn donor support to Covid-19 fight frees relief funds
BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes DONOR aid worth over K2.7 billion for fighting Covid-19 has been made available for Zambia by bilateral and multilateral co-operating partners under different facilities which have been put in place to combat the pandemic. This comes a few weeks after the Zambian Government received criticism from some stakeholders for not being among the 25 countries which have received the debt relief under the revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust offered the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Before Zambia was able to access this money, the IMF a few weeks ago approved debt relief packages to 25 countries. With Zambia not being among the 25 countries, some stakeholders expressed concern that the country would not be able to receive any donor aid package for the covid-19 fight. Finance Minister, Bwalya Ng’andu, however clarified that Zambia did not apply for the facility which has offered immediate debt relief service as it does not meet the required criteria such as a cumulative loss of revenue and increase of expenditures equivalent to at least 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) is among the many facilities currently being offered by multilateral partners to its member states as part of the response to help address the impact of COVID-19. “For me to apply for that it will not make sense because we do not qualify, how would you apply for what you do not qualify for? So what you do is look at other windows which you qualify. “That one we do not qualify and that is the reason we are not there. We have not bothered to apply for that because we do not qualify,” Dr Ng’andu said. Dr Ng’andu however indicated that Government had written to all multilateral institutions and was currently waiting for responses. He cited that Government was discussing with the AfDB regarding a facility which was available. Two weeks after giving this information, K2.7 billion has been made available for Zambia. The WB has made available US$57.60 million (about K1.05 billion) under its Rapid Response Facility, said a statement from Ministry of Finance Spokesperson, Chileshe Kandeta. In addition, the Zambian Government has applied for a further US$20 million (about K372 million) under the Banks Covid-19 Fast Track Facility. The AfDB has committed US$37.5 million (about K697.5 million) to Covid-19 as part of the Bank Groups’ Covid-19 Rapid Response Facility. The AfDB will provide support to high density areas through the provision of hand sanitisers, soap, water bowsers, hand washing facilities and supply of clean and safe water to fight Covid-19. On the other hand, the United Kingdom has pledged support towards upscaling social cash transfer under its Gross Domestic Product 30 million (about K705 million) social cash transfer grant assistance. “The United Kingdom has to this effect pledged to frontload its support in view of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that the vulnerable are cushioned,” read the statement from Ministry of Finance. Still on the support, the United States Government has approved a grant of US$14.5 million (about K270 million) towards the fight against covid-19 in Zambia. The funding is an addition to the technical support that the United States Centre for Disease Control (US-CDC) is providing to the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute. “The US technical support will involve preparedness and response training, assistance on emergency operations, laboratory operations and screening, and training of field epidemiologists,” read the statement. Responding to this overwhelming support, Finance Minister, Bwalya Ng’andu, pledged Government’s commitment to ensuring that the resources are used prudently, and accountability exist in their use. With respect to the support received from the WB, Dr Ng’andu said it is an affirmation of their commitment to walk with Zambia during these difficult times. He said the gesture strengthen development co-operation with Zambia, in the quest to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19.  The Minister also acknowledged that the support from AfDB is a confirmation of its commitment to deepening development cooperation with Zambia now and in future. “We are pleased that the AfDB has assured us that its doors will remain open for further assistance as the situation evolves,” Dr Ng’andu said. And Dr Ng’andu said the support from the United Kingdom demonstrates its (resilience in fighting Covid-19 at its doorsteps while remaining committed to the long-standing development cooperation with Zambia, in a true show of commonwealth brotherhood. The Minister further received the announcement of the USA assistance and assurance of commitment towards improving the health of all Zambians with a deep sense of gratitude.  He acknowledges the assurance of the United States Embassy Charge D’Affaires that the fight against Covid-19 is a critical priority that will also continue to cover the fight against HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and improving the health and nutrition of women and children in Zambia. “The support of the United States – despite being the most affected country worldwide; and in need of huge Covid-19 patient recovery resources itself – demonstrates the steadfast nature of the two friendly country’s long-standing relation in many fields of human endeavor and well-being,” Dr Ng’andu said. The Sun